Deferred Compensation	12 Months Ended
Deferred Compensation	Jan. 31, 2012
Deferred Compensation Liability [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation	Deferred Compensation At January 31, 2012, Autodesk had marketable securities totaling $447.2 million, of which $31.5 million related to investments in debt and equity securities that are held in a rabbi trust under non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The total related deferred compensation liability was $31.5 million at January 31, 2012, of which $3.2 million was classified as current and $28.3 million was classified as non-current liabilities. The value of debt and equity securities held in the rabbi trust at January 31, 2011 was $31.3 million. The total related deferred compensation liability at January 31, 2011 was $31.3 million, of which $3.4 million was classified as current and $27.9 million was classified as non-current liabilities. The current and non-current portions of the liability are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accrued compensation” and “Other liabilities,” respectively.

The entire disclosure for compensation costs, including compensated absences accruals, compensated absences liability, deferred compensation arrangements and income statement compensation items. Deferred compensation arrangements may include a description of an arrangement with an individual employee, which is generally an employment contract between the entity and a selected officer or key employee containing a promise by the employer to pay certain amounts at designated future dates, usually including a period after retirement, upon compliance with stipulated requirements. This type of arrangement is distinguished from broader based employee benefit plans as it is usually tailored to the employee. Disclosure also typically includes the amount of related compensation expense recognized during the reporting period, the number of shares (units) issued during the period under such arrangements, and the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the related liability.

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